Graduation gown

ABSTRACT

A graduation gown is provided. The graduation gown includes a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of full sleeves of predefined length. The graduation gown also includes at least one seamless pocket with an opening configured to house one or more personal items. The opening of the at least one seamless pocket is configured to be in line with at least one of a first seam and a second seam, hence visibly obscured. The opening of at least one seamless pocket is configured to be closable by a fastening means. The at least one seamless pocket is hidden in flowy front panels and rear panel of the graduation gown, thereby providing good outer look to the graduation gown. The at least one seamless pocket enables easy carrying and management of the small personal items during academic ceremony.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the priority benefit of, pending United States Non-Provisional application bearing application Ser. No. 16/215,402, filed on Dec. 10, 2018, titled “Graduation Gown with Storage Areas,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of a present invention relates to garments, and more particularly to a graduation gown worn by academic personnel and students at graduation events.

BACKGROUND

A graduation event involves wearing of a special graduation gown and a tasseled cap. At the graduation ceremony, it is customary to wear the gown in an adorned state along with graduation accessories suggestive of the status of the degree received when one graduates from college or receives a graduation degree.

Many graduates opt to purchase and preserve their gowns. Furthermore, college and university professors, high school teachers and the like wear their gowns more than once since they have to attend several such graduation events.

During the graduation event or ceremony, students and teachers may carry their speeches, cell phones or valuables with them. The graduation gowns do not comprise pockets hence lacks the ease and convenience of carrying safely certain necessary personal items.

There are certain products available such as GirlyGoGarter® and GlitzyGoGarter® for women which are a type of garter designed to be worn separately or independent of the gown around the thigh section for holding flat objects such as mobiles phones etc. However, in order to access the personal item fastened with the garter, the user has to lift the gown or dress which is not suitable at all times and of course it provides a limited range of personal items which could be carried.

Hence, there is a need for an improved design of the graduation gown for storing small personal belongings of the person wearing the graduation gown.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a graduation gown with at least one seamless pocket is provided. The graduation gown includes a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of full sleeves of predefined length, wherein left side of the rear panel and left side of the first front panel are seamed lengthwise to form a left lateral side, with a first seam, of the graduation gown, and right side of the rear panel and right side of the second front panel are seamed lengthwise to form a right lateral, with a second seam, of the graduation gown. The graduation gown also includes at least one seamless pocket with an opening configured to house one or more personal items. The opening of the at least one seamless pocket is in line with at least one of the first seam and the second seam, thereby visibly obscuring the opening of the at least one seamless pocket. The at least one seamless pocket being located at one of a mid-section and mid-bottom section on at least one of the right lateral side of the graduation gown, the left lateral side of the graduation gown and a combination thereof.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a graduation gown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates at least one seamless pocket designed in the graduation gown as illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates closed position of opening of the at least one seamless pocket including a zipper as the fastening means, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the opened position of the at least one seamless pocket in line with the first seam on left side of the graduation gown, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an interior view of the at least one seamless pocket, in accordance with the present invention.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the method steps, chemical compounds, and parameters used herein may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more components, compounds, and ingredients preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other components or compounds or ingredients or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a graduation gown. The invention mainly focuses on the graduation gown comprising a seamless pocket.

As used herein the term ‘graduation gown’ refers to a traditional form of clothing for academic settings, mainly tertiary education, worn mainly by those who have obtained a university degree or hold a status that entitles them to assume them. The graduation gown is also known as academicals, subfuse, academical dress, and academic regalia.

FIG. 1 illustrates the graduation gown 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The graduation gown 100 comprises a first front panel 102, a second front panel 104, a rear panel 106, and a pair of full sleeves 108 of predefined length. The left side of the rear panel 106 and left side of the first front panel 102 are seamed lengthwise to form a left lateral side of the graduation gown 100, where lengthwise seam forms a first seam 110. The right side of the rear panel 106 and right side of the second front panel 104 are seamed lengthwise to form a right lateral of the graduation gown 100, where lengthwise seam forms a second seam 112. The graduation gown 100 includes at least one seamless pocket 200. The FIG. 1 also illustrates a location on the graduation gown 100 provided with at least one seamless pocket 200 in such an embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the seamless pocket 200 may be located on side-right section of the graduation gown 100. Further, there may be two seamless pockets 200 provided for the graduation gown 100, one on either sides.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first front panel 102, the second front panel 104 and the rear panel 106 are of same size. The first front panel 102, the second front panel 104, the rear panel 106 and the pair of full sleeves 108 are of predefined color. Dimensions of the first front panel 102, the second front panel 104, the rear panel 106 and the pair of full sleeves 108 may be altered in order have a suitable fit for the user/wearer. The predefined color may include, but are not limited to, shades of black, blue, green and red.

FIG. 2 illustrates the at least one seamless pocket 200 designed in the graduation gown 100 as depicted in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The at least one seamless pocket 200 being configured to house one or more personal items and includes an opening 204 for easy access.

The opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 is designed to be in line with the first seam 110. Hence, by virtue of presence of the in-seam position, the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 is visibly obscured. The in-seam position of the opening 204 enables hiding the seamless pocket 200 in plain sight. Further, the in-seam position of the opening 204 does not alter or affect shape or flow of the graduation gown 100.

The first seam 110 is split open to separate out the left side of the rear panel 106 and left side of the first front panel 102, thereby forming the opening 204 in the graduation gown 100 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, the second seam 112 may be also split open to separate out right side of the rear panel 106 and right side of the second front panel 104 to form the opening 204 on right side of the graduation gown 100. Depending on the requirement of the user, the number of seamless pockets 200 may vary.

The opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 configured to be closable by a fastening means 206. As used herein the term ‘fastening means’ refers to a device that closes or secures something. The opening 204 may be in an opened position 212 or a closed position 214 of FIG. 3 as per the requirement of the user. The user, with the help of the fastening means 206, may easily switch between the opened position 212 and the closed position 214 of the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200.

The FIG. 2 specifically illustrates the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 in the opened position 212. The opening 204 leads to an inside housing area 210 of the seamless pocket 200. The inside housing area 210 being designed to accommodate the one or more personal items.

The fastening means 206 comprises at least one of a zipper, buttons, clasps, hook and loop type fasteners, and magnets or any combination thereof. The fastening means 206 being positioned at an anterior and inner side of the opening 204, thus not visible from outside or when the opening 204 is in the closed position 214 of FIG. 3.

The FIG. 2 illustrates use of a zipper as the fastening means 206 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the zipper consists of two rows of protruding interdigitatable teeth stitched on the anterior and inner side of the opening 204. A pull tab and slider of the zipper being shown at a bottom end of the opening 204 representing the opened position 212 of the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200. It is evident that the user/wearer may slide the pull tab and slider of the zipper up and down to switch between the opened position 212 and the closed position 214 of the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200.

Further in an embodiment, the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 is stitched by bar tacks 208 to define and reinforce ends of the opening 204. As used herein the term ‘bar tacks’ refer to a series of stitches used to reinforce areas of a garment that may be subject to stress or additional wear. The bar tacks 208 may be sewn by hand, using whip stitches, or by machine, using zigzag stitches. The bar tacks 208 often used in high-stress points such as pocket openings, bottom of a fly or around buttonholes to reinforce the areas that are prone to tearing or coming apart over time. The bar tacks 208 protect vulnerable areas of a garment from tear and wear and increases its longevity.

FIG. 3 illustrates the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 configured to be in line with the first seam 110 but in the closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this also the first seam 110 is split open to separate out the left side of the rear panel 106 and left side of the first front panel 102, thereby forming the opening 204 in the graduation gown 100. The fastening means 206 used in this embodiment is the zipper. The pull tab and slider of the zipper being shown at top end of the opening 204 representing the closed position 214 of the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200. The user/wearer may slide up the pull tab of the zipper from the bottom end to the top end of the opening 204. The fastening means 206 provided in the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket being designed to facilitate one-handed operation for ease of use.

The FIG. 4 illustrates the use of snap buttons as the fastening means 206 in the at least one seamless pocket 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 is configured to be in line with the first seam 110 on left side of the graduation gown 100. The FIG. 4 also illustrates the opened position 212 of the at least one seamless pocket 200. The at least one seamless pocket 200 includes a plurality of the snap buttons as the fastening means 206 across vertical length of the opening 204. It is to be understood that number and position of the plurality of the snap buttons varies as per distance from the top end to the bottom end of the opening 204 i.e. length of the opening 204. In such an embodiment, the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 is stitched by the bar tacks 208 to define and reinforce ends of the opening 204.

Each of the snap buttons include a pair of interlocking male and female discs (not visible in FIG. 4 for being on the inner side), where a circular protrusion of one disc fits into a groove on top of other disc holding them together. The snap buttons may be stitched or riveted on the anterior and inner side of the opening 204, thus making the snap buttons invisible. Application of the plurality of snap buttons as the fastening means 206 enables one-handed operation for the user, where the user may switch from the closed position 214 to the open position 212 of the opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 by applying a certain amount of force with one hand.

The snap buttons made out of a metal or plastic, commonly used in place of traditional buttons to fasten clothing and for similar purposes. A circular lip under one disc fits into a groove on the top of the other, holding them fast until a certain amount of force is applied. Different types of snaps can be attached to fabric or leather by riveting with a punch and die set specific to the type of rivet snaps used.

The at least one seamless pocket 200 is configured to have a predefined shape and size. The predefined shape of the at least one seamless pocket 200 includes, but not limited to, square, rectangle, oval or elongated oval.

FIG. 5 illustrates an interior view 500 of the at least one seamless pocket 200, in accordance with the present invention. The opening 204 of the at least one seamless pocket 200 is configured to be in line with the first seam 110 on left side of the graduation gown 100. The at least one seamless pocket 200 comprises a pair of cloth panels 402 and 404 stitched together at edges to define boundary of the at least one seamless pocket 200 except at the opening 204.

The FIG. 5 shows the at least one seamless pocket 200 having the elongated oval shape. The ends of the opening 204 are seamed by bar tacks 208 in line with the first seam 110 of the graduation gown 100, to define and reinforce ends of the opening 204. The pair of cloth panels 402 and 404 used for the at least one seamless pocket 200 is similar that of a cloth used for the graduation gown 100. The least one seamless pocket 200 also comprises a shade of color corresponding to the graduation gown 100. In an embodiment, the cloth panels 402 is stitched at the inner side of the left side of the rear panel 106 and cloth panel 404 is stitched at the inner side of the left side of the first front panel of the graduation gown 100, thereby making the opening 204 invisible from outside of the graduation gown 100.

The fabric used for the graduation gown 100 and the at least one seamless pocket includes but not limited to polyester, silk, nylon, cotton, viscous rayon, acetate and combination thereof. More preferably polyester fabric is used for the graduation gown 100 and for the at least one seamless pocket as polyester is strong; resistant to stretching, most chemicals, and abrasion; crisp and resilient when wet or dry; retains heat-set pleats and creases; more wrinkle resistant than any other fabric; and is easily washed in ordinary washers and dryers.

The size or depth of the seamless pocket may vary depending on the requirement of the user. In an embodiment, the seamless pocket may have a greater depth in order to simultaneously house several personal items such as mobile phone, phone charger, headphone, keys etc.

In a further embodiment, the pair of cloth panels 402 and 404 forming the seamless pocket 200 may be stitched at one or more predefined positions 406 on inner portion of the left side of the rear panel 106 or on inner side of the left side of the first front panel of the graduation gown 100 in order prevent swing or movement of seamless pocket 200 under the weight of the one or more personal items kept inside. As a result of this, when a user wearing the present gown 100 walks around with personal items kept in the seamless pocket 200 it is not evident to observers.

The one or more personal items of a predefined shape and size smaller than the predefined shape and size of the at least one seamless pocket 200 may be easily and securely housed inside the at least one seamless pocket 200. Jerky body movement of wearer does not result in falling of the one or more personal items since the opening 204 is in the closed position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one seamless pocket 200 with the opening 204 is configured to house a cell phone of a wearer. In such an embodiment, shape and size of the at least one seamless pocket 200 has a rectangular shape of a size corresponding to size of the mobile phone.

The at least one seamless pocket 200 is configured to be located at a mid-section or mid-bottom section on the right lateral side of the graduation gown 100 or the left lateral side of the graduation gown 100. The mid-section corresponds to a midway length of the graduation gown 100 and the mid-bottom section corresponds to a position between midway and bottom of the graduation gown 100. The mid-section falls around hip and may be ideal for users for putting their hand inside the at least one seamless pocket 200 or pulling out the one or more personal items kept inside the at least one seamless pocket 200.

The present invention provides the at least one seamless pocket 200 in the graduation gown 100 to safely house the small personal items such as cell phone, graduation speech, wallet, and keys etc. and thereby enables convenient management of the small personal items during academic ceremony. The at least one seamless pocket 200 is hidden in flowy front panels and rear panel of the graduation gown 100, hence do not compromise with looks of the graduation gown 100.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. 

We claim:
 1. A graduation gown, comprising: a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of full sleeves of predefined length, wherein left side of the rear pane and left side of the first front panel are seamed lengthwise to form a left lateral side, with a first seam, of the graduation gown, and right side of the rear panel and right side of the second front panel are seamed lengthwise to form a right lateral, with a second seam, of the graduation gown; at least one seamless pocket with an opening configured to house one or more personal items, wherein the at least one seamless pocket being located at one of a mid-section and mid-bottom section on at least one of the right lateral side of the graduation gown, the left lateral side of the graduation gown or a combination thereof, and wherein the opening of the at least one seamless pocket is in line with at least one of the first seam and the second seam, thereby visibly obscuring the opening of the at least one seamless pocket.
 2. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening of the at least one seamless pocket is configured to be closable by a fastening means.
 3. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening means being positioned at an anterior and inner side of the opening.
 4. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening means comprises at least one of a zipper, buttons, clasps, hook and loop type fasteners, magnets or a combination thereof.
 5. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid-section corresponds to a midway length of the graduation gown.
 6. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid-bottom section corresponds to a position between midway and bottom of the graduation gown.
 7. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more personal items comprise a predefined shape and size smaller than a predefined shape and size of the at least one seamless pocket.
 8. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one seamless pocket comprises a pair of cloth panels stitched together except at the opening.
 9. The graduation gown as claimed in claim 1, further comprises the pair of cloth panels being stitched at one or more predefined positions on at least one of the inner portion of the left side of the rear panel and on inner side of the left side of the first front panel of the graduation gown. 